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Since rubber floor coverings from nora systems have always been free of PVC, other halogenated polymers and phthalat plasticizers, they have been sporting the environmental label “Der Blaue Engel…weil emissionsarm” (the Blue Angel...because of low emissions) for years now. However, nora system blue® goes one step further, combining low-emission nora® rubber floor coverings with low-emission installation materials. Harmful interactions between the individual components have thus been eliminated. Selected installers are also specially trained to work with nora system blue®. As each system module guarantees maximum safety, the system as a whole has also been certified by TÜV Rheinland.
“For us, environmental impact, the durability of the floors and the safety of the system were very important,” say architect Heiko Klement, of rw+ Gesellschaft von Architekten mbH, and Dr. Carsten Siebert, CFO/COO of the Barenboim-Said Foundation, explaining their decision. After all, both the students and the staff at the academy spend a great part of their day in the rooms. “The indoor air quality is thus crucial for their well-being.”
Modern industrial charm: rubber flooring in special colors
According to the builder owners and architects, noraplan ® uni rubber floor suits the building perfectly. The existing building dates from the period following the Second World War and consists of very different materials – from sandstone to rubble brick through to reinforced concrete. Several elements of the former stage-set warehouse, such as the steel beams, the banister, the open ceiling structure and the mobile transport platform are heritage-protected and have thus been preserved. The new users find it rather congenial that the building is a bit quirky and not quite symmetrical. To ensure good room acoustics, wall surfaces in rooms where music is being made should not be completely parallel. Otherwise there would be unfavorable acoustic refractions.
The shade of the floors is a custom production from nora systems: “The floor color emphasizes the structure of the rooms and highlights the building’s industrial look in a discreet and low-key manner,” explains Klement. “The brownish-red shade is reminiscent of anti-rust paints, creating an attractive contrast to the whitewashed walls.” The matte surface of the rubber floor coverings also appealed to those in charge.
Quality during ongoing operations: resilience and comfort
Another advantage of nora® floor coverings is their resilience. Their extremely dense, non-porous surface makes them highlydurable. “Wear-resistance was also an important aspect for us. After all, we will be holding more than 100 concerts per year at the academy and so welcoming a lot of visitors. The foyer will also be permanently accessible as a meeting place,” adds Siebert. Thanks to their non-porous surface, nora® floors require no coatings, making them extremely easy to clean. Their permanent elasticity also makes them particularly comfortable. “Rubber is a good material – environmentally-friendly, ergonomic, warm and welcoming,” say the builder owners and architects, summing up their impressions. This lays the ideal foundation for successful musical interactions between the young musicians.